Homewood OKs tax collection contract

The Homewood City Council recently renewed a one-year contract with River Tree Systems Inc. to audit and collect taxes for the city. The Hoover-based com­pany identifies businesses that owe Homewood taxes and attempts to collect on its behalf.

Last year, River Tree col­lected $360,000 for Home­wood, said Jim Thomas, owner and president of River Tree.

River Tree has been audi­ting revenue for the city since 2001. It has collected nearly $4 million in taxes in that time, Thomas said.